Sticks & Stones Shitty Interview No.117

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The adage that music is universal has never been truer in recent times. In times of darkness and disillusionment, music exists as an avenue of escape, healing and expression. And for the musicians making it, the opportunity to create is one that sits as both a treasure and responsibility. For Australian electronic act Tora, it’s a mantle they picked up confidently in 2020 as they began to create their third studio record, ‘A Force Majeure’.

Eleven songs capture the essence of a band that have found themselves a world away from the normalcy they were accustomed to. Eleven songs shine bright with a refreshed perspective and a deepened understanding of the group’s artistry and identity. As a definitive snapshot of the type of band Tora is today, ‘A Force Majeure’ is sophisticated, mature and beautifully contemporary in sound, feel and execution.

As Loewenthal describes, the album has grown in resonance for him as time has progressed. ‘A Force Majeure’ is not an album written as a response to the pandemic, but it is an album that captures the adaptability and ambition of the band. “The songs hold increasing importance and relevance to me. I’m glad we were patient,” he says. “We were in a rush last year when we were working on the music. We wanted to just get it out. During the COVID crisis, we were like, “We’ve got to do something to stay in the public eye,” and then we thought, “Let’s just take our time; be patient with it”. It feels like it was a good decision because the concepts have grown in potency over time.

For us, amongst all of the chaos going on globally, this album really brought us a sense of relief. That’s what we want to share with the world. Come back to the self and work on the self so that you can project outward positively: that’s the message. Personal growth, growing yourself so you can help others. Don’t just take, give. Giving is the same as taking; when you give, someone else is taking. That ultimately comes back around.”

Today it is a pleasure to bring you Shitty Interview No.117 with Tora, beautifully completed by band member Thorne Davis.

LISTEN

Sticks & Stones: What’s the most amount of cash you’ve ever found?
Tora (Thorne Davis): About $750 in an envelope signed ‘Gayle; on Friday in the parking lot of my first job when I was 12. The age of ‘finders keepers’… Sorry Gayle.

Sticks & Stones: Last thing you stole?
Tora (Thorne Davis): My girlfriends heart.

Sticks & Stones: Sweet or savoury?
Tora (Thorne Davis): 110% savoury!

Sticks & Stones: Last lie you told?
Tora (Thorne Davis): She actually stole mine.

Sticks & Stones: What has made you smile today?
Tora (Thorne Davis): Progress. Boring? I know, she tells me all the time.

Sticks & Stones: Last dream you remember?
Tora (Thorne Davis): Disclaimer: I’ve been living with a french family since May. In Paris trying to catch the metro & gets stopped at a booth where they give me a mask to wear (looked like a big piece of origami). Then stepped at another booth & sign up for a passport. I’m then given two refurbished pistols front the French & proceed to run around shooting tires of police cars.

Sticks & Stones: If you could be any animal for a day what would it be?
Tora (Thorne Davis): A fly on the wall of a deep-state meeting.

Sticks & Stones: What do you wish you were better at?
Tora (Thorne Davis): Exotic positions.

Sticks & Stones: What are you fucking with right now?
Tora (Thorne Davis): Music, art, writing & building a tokenization platform called UNIT.

Sticks & Stones: Give is some shitty advice.
Tora (Thorne Davis): Don’t put all your savings into Bitcoin. Inflation is great!